This study explores the use of metaphors in President George W. Bush’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, 2002, in the context of the Iraq War. Drawing from Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the analysis investigates how metaphorical language functions as a persuasive tool in political discourse, specifically in the justification of military action. Using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), the research identifies key metaphors employed by Bush—such as war as a game, peace as a journey, Iraq as a criminal, and weapons as objects of desire—and examines how these metaphors construct Iraq as a growing threat and Saddam Hussein as a tyrannical figure. The findings reveal that Bush’s strategic use of metaphors framed the conflict in emotionally resonant and morally charged terms, facilitating public support for the invasion. The paper situates these findings within broader scholarly discussions on propaganda, rhetoric, and the role of language in shaping political realities.
- Quote paper
- Mehmet Akif Kuru (Author), 2023, Metaphor Analysis: Iraq War. G. W. Bush speech to the UN General Assembly, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1574344
